It is a new digital interactive multimedia museum. Its key objective is to collect historical and archaeological information about the Plato Academy and come close to its philosophy and ideas through the use of the latest technologies.
When we speak of the Academy of Plato today, we mean both the specific district of the Athens “Academy of Plato” and the real academy – the philosophical school of Plato. The exhibition is intended to become a bridge between the world-famous Academy and its location.
Although the exhibition, dedicated to the world-famous philosopher, could take place in any of the largest museums around the world, the history of Plato began right here, in Athens. Most of the exposition is dedicated to the life of this prominent figure.
The interactive installations and video projections help visitors to better navigate within the deep world of ideas, which influenced modern thinking and inspired humanity for over two thousand years.
This small museum opened its doors for visitors in 2015. It was opened on the territory of Plato’s Academy that is now recognized as an archaeological park.
Thanks to the latest technologies, visitors can “experience” the peculiarities of life and the education process of Plato Academy. The historians consider it to be the first higher education establishment in the world.
Travel back in time and ponder the philosophical questions by Plato, at the place, where he taught his students over 2.500 years ago.
The Plato Academy Digital Museum in Athens was created in the new building of Plato Academy. It covers many exhibit items and theme-based multimedia applications. Through texts, multimedia materials, and images, visitors can get more profound knowledge about Plato’s Academy and “the world of ideas” as well.
The museum gives a detailed description of Plato as a unique historical character. Moreover, it also provides useful information about the history and development of the Academy from the very first day of its appearance to modern days. The exposition invites a modern visitor to indulge in the “world of ideas” and philosophizing. Both the atmosphere of the museum and the building itself promotes this.
The route to/from the building runs along the main central road of the square, symbolizing the link with the past and the way to the enlightening. The windows are one of the peculiar features of the building. You can see them only by the entrance and exit. While moving from one exhibit item to another, according to the idea of the creators of the museum, the visitor follows the path that will guide him to the light. During a visit to the landmark, a visitor learns all sorts of aspects of the life of the Academy. At the end of the tour, he goes back, to modern times and his everyday life.
The exhibition will be a real trip in time for you. It will begin with the Plato’s Academy in modern Athens. Beyond the lines of the building, the time is kept counterclockwise. The visitors are offered to observe the nascent stages of the archaeological monument. They are preparing to get “acquainted” with Plato himself.
The first hall of the museum invites visitors to get make themselves familiar with Plato as the historic character who was an active participant of public life in Athens in the IV century BC. At the same time, the exposition provides a detailed view of the archaeological monument of “Plato Academy.”
The exhibit items of the second hall give a complete idea about the activity and methods of Plato. You will get an opportunity to indulge in philosophizing and learn the way of Plato’s thinking. Apart from the exhibit items, describing the life of the scientist and the development of philosophy, the museum offers its visitors to have a look at the unique digital copy of the cave Plato described in “The Republic.” The philosopher compared illiterate people with individuals imprisoned in the cave who could not think by themselves and build their path to enlightenment.
The third room demonstrates the way Plato’s activity changed over time. It is followed by the description of the events, which were connected to the Academy, and the thoughts of a great philosopher, which influenced the thinking and inspiration of humanity. The exhibition closes with a look at the modern Academy and includes the possibility to get in its territory.
All those interactive exhibit items provide visitors with the possibility to take part in the research activity of the museum as they have an opportunity to get profound knowledge on the activity and history of the Academy.
How to get to Plato’s Academy Museum
Plato Academy Digital Museum sits in the vicinity of central Athens, in 1 Alkmeonos Street.
If you plan to travel by private vehicle from Omonia Square, the ride will take you about 15 minutes. After you reach the square, you should turn right and keep on moving towards along Agiou Konstantinou Street. When you reach the Karaiskaki Square, you should turn at the third turnoff, leading to Achilleios Street. After you overcome a 300-meter distance, turn right to Lenorman Street. Next, you should drive 500 meters until you reach Palamidiou Street. After that, turn right to Platonos Street, and then – to the left, in the direction of Alkmeonas;
If you decide to overcome the root on foot, the walk will take you a bit more than half an hour;
You can also access the museum by bus 51, the station “Palaio Terma”;
Athens Metro facilities provide travelers with the possibility to access the landmark from any part of the city. You should leave the metro train at the station Metaxourgeio (Red line). After that, you will need to catch the bus 51, running to the “Palaio Terma” station.
Plato Academy Digital Museum sits in the vicinity of central Athens, in 1 Alkmeonos Street.
On weekdays, the main flow of visitors is observed from 10:00 to 12:00. On Sundays, the museum is busy with guests from 11:00 to 15:00
